swedish tourism and mountain safety 2014

Per-Olov Wikberg

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Mountain Safety Council

Sweden

Status of mountain tourism in Sweden,

scenarios for the future and how this will

affect mountain safety related issues

The swedish mountains is among

the greatest national attractions

But the the growing tourism is related with new

demands from both tourist operators and the public

Safe and well maintained mountain trails and other related

services is of great importance in order to get

the public out in the mountains without damages and accidents.

Prevention of accident is central

Sweded is now aiming to double it´stourism industry until 2020

It is also important that the mountain tourism develops

without damage of the sensible nature.

Status of mountain tourism in Sweden, scenarios for the future

and how this will affect mountain safety related issues

The tourism industry in Sweden in total is becoming increasingly important for

employment and economic growth.

In 2009 the total sales in the industry was > 25 billion Euro, with 160,000

employees annually.

In the recently published strategy for 2020, Sweden aims to double its tourism by

2020.



The strategy as formulated in a vision

Focusing on sustainability issues, Sweden aiming at to double the Swedish

tourism industry for ten years. 2020 is the Tourism industry the new Swedish

base industry.

Sweden as a destination should be the natural first choice for the global

traveler. The industry aiming to have a level of turnover of 50 billion Euro, and

should be ready to offer 35 export destinations by 2020.

One of the main keys is found in more aggressive and systematic

destination development.

Mountains and nature is Sweden's main attraction but tourism also means new

demands!

Trails for hiking, skiing and snowmobiling are important in order to be able to

stear the visitors and in order to prevent accidents.

The safety aspects are central in order to manage the very likely future growth

in the tourism sector in the Swedish mountains.



Numbers of Swedish skiers and the economy

Annual financial turnover of lift tickets– > 120 million Euros

Annual number of ”skidays” - 7,7 million

Annual financial turnover in total skiresorts > 1 billion Euro

Total finanicial turnover in tourism industry > 25 billion Euros



The historical growth in annual turnover oflifttickets

Estimated future growth in numbers



136

83

96

135

95 94 93

10397

68

144

89

100

140

107103

99

111

98

69

13 1114

18

10 85

9 8 6

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (t. maj)

Snowmobile related accidents in Sweden 2005-2014 (SNOFED 2014)

n= 102



0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Number of swedish avalanche related fatalaties in total

In Sweden Other countries Linear (In Sweden) Linear (Other countries)



250 244 235

191

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

2010 2011 2012 2013

Annual numbers of callouts for the Mountain Rescue



So how can we prevent that more accidents happens

when tourism is increasing?

Swedish Mountain Safety Council

Aims and misson

To prevent accidents and fatalities in mountainious

areas by:

- Increase collaboration between differents subjects and actors

that are part of the work with mountain safety

- Act for information and education regarding mountain safety

- To follow and support research and development

regarding mountain safety

Fjälledareföreningen SFU

Swedish Mountain Safety Council

http://www.smhi.se/

http://www.smhi.se/

http://www.smhi.se/

http://www.smhi.se/

http://www.sbo.mountainguide.se/index.htm

http://www.sbo.mountainguide.se/index.htm

http://www.konsumentverket.se/

http://www.konsumentverket.se/

http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/norrbotten/Sv

http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/norrbotten/Sv

http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/vasterbotten/Sv

http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/vasterbotten/Sv

http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/jamtland/Sv

http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/jamtland/Sv

http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/dalarna/Sv

http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/dalarna/Sv

http://www.snofed.se/default.asp?pageid=31492

http://www.snofed.se/default.asp?pageid=31492

https://www.msb.se/sv/

https://www.msb.se/sv/

Local mountain safety committies . - delivering local information, localcoordination, education for schoolkids.

Local Mountain Safety Committes



Avalanche bulletins and warnings



Weather forecasts and warnings



1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

Choose lightweight clothing that protects

you from wind and rain and breathes when

you warm up. Dress in layers so that you

can easily add or remove clothes

according to the weather conditions. Good

equipment does not have to be expensive

and a sensibly packed rucksack should not

be too heavy.



2. LET YOUR ITINERARY AND RETURN BE KNOWN

It is important to inform someone of your intended route and when you expect

to be back. Tell a friend, family or someone else who can raise the alarm if

you do not return as planned.

3. PLAN YOUR TRIP ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER

Mountain weather can change quickly. Check the local weather forecast.

Always pay attention to warnings about adverse weather conditions in the

mountains.



4. KEEP TO MARKED TRAILS

There are thousands of kilometres of marked trails in the mountains, with signs

that indicate distances, overnight cabins and emergency phones. It is wise to

keep to the marked trails. It makes it easier to find your way and is a safer

alternative if you should need help. Remember that winter trails are marked with

a red cross and are not always suitable for summer hikes.

5. PACK A MAP AND COMPASS

Make sure you have an updated map. A compass is very useful when you leave

marked trails. If you are not sure how to use a compass, visit the website of the

Mountain Safety Council of Sweden for instructions. A GPS is useful but cold

weather quickly drains batteries.

6. GET ADVICE FROM OTHERS WITH EXPERIENCE

Experienced mountaineers can offer important information. Get in touch with them to

ask about routes, water levels, bridges and other information that will help you plan

your trip. There are several local mountain safety committees with considerable

knowledge of the mountains in their regions. Their contact details are on the Mountain

Safety Council website.

If possible, call 112 in an emergency, unless there is a mountain shelter

or cabin with an emergency phone nearby. It is important to be aware

that large areas of the mountain range have no mobile phone

coverage.





Communication is the key to sucess

The communication strategies is primary targeted towards prevention

measures.

The information given should always be based upon the correct facts but at the

same time providing and support an increasing public interest of outdoor

recreation and the nature itself, in combination with an increased respect and

greater knowledge of the mountain environment.

The Mountain Safety Council believes that it is important to work on a

long term basis towards the next generation visitors, the school

children is a prioritized target group.



Prioritized channels is web, general media and especially communication based

on target group analysis.

Another important and another way to reach sucess is to work with and support

organizations and people who can bring the message further on in their own

channels.



Ongoing projects in 2014

• Adapting and take action towards national guiding standards standards

(Mountain Leaders, Mountain Guides, Snowmobile guides

Snowmobile rental diploma

• National standard regarding avalanche awarness and avalanche

rescue education programs

• Support the new national avalanche forecasting program

• The next generation of mountain trails

• Developing new ways of communication using new tools

• Develop better platforms in collection accident statistics

• Intiate and support new research in the are of interest



The Swedish National Mountain Trails

> 5500 kilometers of

mountain trails

> 900 brigdes

> 180 shelters

Swedish

mountain trail

system



NEW

GUIDANCE

NEW TRAIL

SYSTEM

National review of the trail system 2014

• Clarify who is responsible national,

regional, local

• How do the current situation looks like?

- identify and describe the current trail

system (extent and condition) and need

for resources

• Suggest measures to create a

functioning trail system in mountains

within available funding



Estimates cost of renovation: about 10 million Euro/

Costs for the current annual maintance: 2,5 million Euro/year

The current funding of 1,5 million Euro is insufficient to manage the trail system

in its current scope



Based on today's and tomorrows outdoor activities and available resources to

work with, How should we look at the future regarding the importance of an

attractive mountain trail system and how it should be managed in the future?

What opportunities are available to increase the funding?

Should the industry itself be funding the maintance?, or the visitors?, or is this

an issue for the government?





http://www.snoskoterradet.se/

http://www.snoskoterradet.se/

T H A N K S F O R Y O U R AT T E N T I O N !



Per-Olov Wikberg

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Mountain Safety Council

Sweden

swedish tourism and mountain safety 2014

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